Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’, particularly characterized by its yield potential, fruit size, conical fruit shape, shelf-life, and flavor and eating quality of fruit, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ was discovered in Kent County, the United Kingdom in July of 2011, and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘TUKE 278-050’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘SUKE 103-064’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via stolons in the Netherlands in July of 2011.

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Kent County, the United Kingdom for six years (2011 to 2016). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Kent County, the United Kingdom:

-   -   1. Significantly high yield; and     -   2. Large fruit size.

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ was selected for its yield potential, fruit size, conical fruit shape, shelf-life, and flavor and eating quality of fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit, flowers, and leaves of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are three months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

FIG. 2 illustrates the upper surface of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the lower surface of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

FIG. 4A illustrates the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

FIG. 4B illustrates the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Kent County, the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2016. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ was taken from plants that were three months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘TUKE 278-050’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘SUKE 103-064’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—39.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—39.5 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—4.         -   Growth habit.—Upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—36-45.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.113 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 63B (Strong purplish red). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Sometimes more than three.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 137A (Moderate olive green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 137C (Moderate yellow green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 9.0 cm. Width: 8.5 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 19. Leaflet shape: Flat straight. Shape of apex:             Rounded. Shape of base: Acute. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 29.9 cm. Diameter: 5.98 mm. Color: RHS 144B             (Strong yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Horizontal. Bract             frequency (number present on each petiole): 1.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 8.60 mm. Diameter: 2.10 mm. Color: RHS             144C (Strong yellow green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 3.3 cm. Width: 10.82 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Present. Anthocyanin color: RHS 65A (Moderate             purplish pink). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Above.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 66.00 mm. Diameter: 1.62 mm. Color: RHS             144C (Strong yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 30.74 mm. Flower depth: 9.51 mm.             Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical             and observed number of flowers per plant: 33.         -   Petal.—Length: 12.62 mm. Width: 12.59 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.0. Petal shape: Obicular. Shape of apex: Rounded.             Shape of base: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Typical and observed             petal number: 6. Color of upper side: RHS NN155C (White).             Color of lower side: RHS NN155C (White).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 32.73 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 16.77 mm. Width: 6.84 mm. Color of upper             surface: RHS 141B (Deep yellowish green). Color of lower             surface: RHS 143A (Strong yellow green). Sepal shape:             Elliptical. Shape of apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Typical             and observed sepal number: 6. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—46.36 mm.         -   Width.—38.96 mm.         -   Weight (individual fruit).—19.0 g.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.2.         -   Fruit hollow length.—38.97 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—24.33 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.6.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS 44A (Vivid red).         -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.         -   Color of achenes.—RHS N144B (Strong yellow).         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 44B (Vivid reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 44C (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Fruiting truss.—Length: 33.20 cm. Diameter: 5.69 cm. Color:             RHS 144B (Strong yellow green). Number of berries per truss:             12 berries. -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—June to September.         -   Harvest interval.—July to September.         -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant.         -   Productivity.—1.306 kg to 1.400 kg of fruit per season from             two-month-old to six-month-old plants when grown in Kent             County, the United Kingdom. -   Resistance to diseases:     -   -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Verticillium wilt.—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘TUKE 278-050’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ produce higher yields of fruit as compared to plants of ‘TUKE 278-050’. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ are larger in size and have a lighter red color as compared to fruit of ‘TUKE 278-050’.

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘SUKE 103-064’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ produce higher yields of fruit as compared to plants of ‘SUKE 103-064’. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ are larger in size as compared to fruit of ‘SUKE 103-064’.

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,878) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have an upright growth habit, while plants of ‘DrisStrawTwo’ have a semi-upright growth habit. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have absent or a very narrow width of band without achenes, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawTwo’ have a medium width of band without achenes. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have a calyx attachment that is level with fruit, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawTwo’ have a calyx attachment that is raised from fruit.

‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,437) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have an upright growth habit, while plants of ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ have a semi-upright growth habit. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ are large in size, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ are medium in size. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have achenes that are below surface of fruit, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawTwo’ have achenes that are level with or above surface of fruit. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ as shown and described herein. 